The Oscars are supposed to be a barometer for greatness in the movie industry, but sometimes the Academy just misses the mark. Think about it: Three Six Mafia has an Oscar, but Leonardo DiCaprio does not. Snubs inevitably happen every year and some are more egregious than others. As we prepare for the next batch of nominations, let us reflect on some of the biggest snubs that still have us scratching our heads.
1. Leonardo DiCaptio in The Departed
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Leo has been nominated a lot, we know this, but he was at his best in this Martin Scorsese flick. It still pains us that this wasn’t his year.
2. Leonardo DiCaprio in Revolutionary Road
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We thought Leo/Kate Winslet reunion would equal Oscar magic. But alas, it was not to be.
3. Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can
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We still love this movie and think he was fantastic as con man Frank Abagnale Jr. Technically he played more than character, as Frank faked his way into becoming an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer.
4. Leonardo DiCaprio in The Aviator
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Last Leo one, we promise. But man did he do a good job playing Howard Hughes’ descent into madness.
5. Brokeback Mountain
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With the exception of Ang Lee winning for Best Director, Brokeback Mountain got completely shut out of the Oscars. Crash beat it for Best Picture in an upset, and Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michelle Williams all inexplicably lost in their categories despite delivering amazing performances.
6. Alfred Hitchcock
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Can you believe the Master of Suspense never won an Oscar for directing? Despite all of his directing techniques that are now famous, poor Hitch never got Oscar recognition. Couldn’t they have at least given him the Best Cameos in All His Films award?
7. James Dean
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We expect that if James Dean had lived longer than his young 24 years, he would have taken home Oscar gold. But the impressive trifecta of films he made during his much-too-short career (A Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden and Giant) are enough to make us sad he never won.
8. Saving Private Ryan
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This Steven Spielberg wartime epic starring Tom Hanks was beat out for Best Picture by Shakespeare in Love. Rumblings have indicated power producer Harvey Weinstein’s purse strings – rather than the film’s merit - are what actually got Shakespeare the gold.
9. Marilyn Monroe
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The iconic bombshell never got to make a breathy Oscar acceptance speech. She was probably most deserving for her part in Some Like It Hot, but it just wasn't in the cards.
10. Amy Adams
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Doesn’t it seem like she gets nominated every year? She’s like the female Leonardo DiCaprio at this point. She was great in The Fighter and she was our favorite part of American Hustle last year. Such a shame.
11. Robert Redford
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Redford, aka the Brad Pitt before Brad Pitt, has never won an Oscar for acting. He nabbed one in 1981 for directing Ordinary People and got a Lifetime Achievement award in 2002, but the founder of the Sundance Film Festival was never acknowledged for the talent that made him famous.
12. Paul Newman for The Hustler
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It took Paul Newman way too long to claim his Oscar glory. He was notoriously snubbed all throughout his prime years – most notably for The Hustler in 1962. The Academy finally gave him an honorary award in 1986 and then a Best Actor Oscar in 1987 for his role in the subpar sequel to The Hustler - The Color of Money.
13. Citizen Kane
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This film has been number one on so many AFI Greatest Movies of All Time lists that we kind of just assumed it had won the Oscar for Best Picture. Not so. The Orson Welles masterpiece was beat out by How Green Was My Valley, a movie about a Welsh mining village.
14. Michael Fassbender in Shame
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When you put aside the jokes about "best performance by a penis in a movie," you’ll realize that Fassbender actually turns in an Oscar-worthy performance in Shame (clothed or unclothed). We’ll give him time though – we think a statuette is in his future.
15. Ewan McGregor
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Ewan (or as we like to call him: every straight man’s mancrush) has turned in some brilliant work over the years – like his roles in Beginners and The Impossible. But sadly it seems it wasn’t enough to catch the Academy’s attention.
16. Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp does not have an Oscar. We repeat: Johnny Depp does not have an Oscar. How can the guy who played iconic characters in Edward Scissorhands, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Finding Neverland be lacking a trophy, you ask? It’s a mystery for the ages.
17. Jessica Chastain
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Remember when Jessica Chastain had like a million movies come out in 2011? In luckier years, we think at least ONE of those would have gotten her a win. Maybe 2015 will be her year.
18. Keira Knightley in Pride &amp; Prejudice
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Reese Witherspoon beat her out that year for Walk the Line, but Keira would have had our vote for her pitch perfect portrayal of Jane Austen heroine Elizabeth Bennett.
19. Atonement
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Talk about a beautifully made film. It even won the Golden Globe for Best Drama that year, which is usually a sign that an Oscar imminent. Nope. No Country for Old Men took it instead. Guess nothing beats a Coen Brothers film with an ambiguous ending.
20. Short Term 12
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If you've seen this gem of an indie movie starring a riveting Brie Larson, you'll understand why this was a major snub. It was one of the best movies of 2013, but presumably because it was so small, it didn't get any awards love. Travesty.
21. Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Smashed
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Another small movie, but a huge Oscar-worthy performance by Winstead as a young wife coming to terms with sobriety. Or at least worthy of a nomination. Pay better attention, Academy!
Who do YOU think has been snubbed? Tell us on Twitter by following the links below!
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Whether you loved the way it neatly wrapped things up or hated the cheesy fairy tale ending it gave the series, the epilogue to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows has been, for the most part, the only real glimpse that fans got at the lives of Harry, Ron, and Hermione after their time at Hogwarts concluded. Though many have been able to get their fix of the Wizarding World through the snippets that J.K. Rowling has posted on Pottermore, she's been silent on the fate of the Golden Trio and the rest of Dumbledore's Army... until Tuesday morning, that is. In honor of the Quidditch World Cup — which conveniently coincides with the muggle world's World Cup — the author has released a series of short stories and mock articles about the game, its history, and now its famous spectators.
But while the always reliable Rita Skeeter has filled us in on what Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny have been up to in the years since school (working as an Auror, helping George run Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, working up the ranks in the Ministry, and becoming a Quidditch reporter, respectively), there are still so many more characters whose fates were not addressed. In fact, Rita's article brings up more questions than answers, since everything it reveals leaves us wanting to know more about the Wizarding World. On the off chance that Rowling is looking for inspiration for another Pottermore update, we'd recommend she start by tackling some of these burning questions:
Where’s Draco Malfoy? We don’t expect Draco to be hanging out with Dumbledore’s Army any more now than he did when they were all at Hogwarts, but does Rowling really expect us to believe that he would pass up any opportunity to swan around a VIP area and brag about his success, real or exaggerated? Surely, if everyone were gathering at the World Cup, he would be there, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle and ready to start a fight, just as he always was. Draco Malfoy never shies away from a potential spotlight.
Did Lee Jordan Ever Make It as a Quidditch Announcer? Perhaps the greatest sports announcers – real or fictional – of all time, Lee Jordan had a gift for adding color and sass to even the most boring of calls, and even if Professor McGonagall didn’t appreciate his admittedly biased reporting, readers certainly did. It’s hard to imagine a career that suits the Weasley twins’ former partner-in-crime better.
How Does Rita Have Trouble Telling the Weasley Boys Apart? They might all have red hair, freckles and hand-me-down clothes, but all of the Weasley boys are distinct entities, and if she’s already got Ron and Bill down, it shouldn’t be too difficult for her to figure out the other three. Here’s a cheat sheet: if he looks self-important, slightly nerdy, and wears glasses, it’s Percy; if he’s ruggedly handsome and desert-worn, it’s Charlie, and if he has one ear, is constantly joking around and seems like there should be another one of him standing right there, it’s George.
Has Luna Mellowed Out Since School? Rita seems intrigued by Luna’s World Cup outfit, but we’re a little disappointed by it. What happened to the elaborate roaring lion’s head she broke out for a Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match in the sixth book? Where are her radish earrings or her Spectrespecs or her colorful shoes? This is the tamest Luna costume we’ve seen, and it makes us a bit worried that she’s lost some of her unique, spacey edge.
What Did Hannah Abbott Do Before She Married Neville? The epilogue revealed a bit about what the other potential Boy Who Lived has been up to since school has ended, but we know next to nothing about the new Mrs. Longbottom. What were her school years like? What did she get her OWLs in? How did she and Neville meet and fall in love? How long have they been married? What did she do for work before deciding to become a Healer and move to Hogwarts with Neville? Forget the Marauders; we want to hear a lot more about Neville and Hannah.
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Where’s Angelina Johnson? There’s no way that the former Gryffindor Captain would let her husband George Weasley attend the Quidditch World Cup without her. After all, this is the one person who was as obsessed with the sport as Oliver Wood, who captained the team with a drive and determination that would have made even her predecessor request a day off. The only possibly explanation, therefore, is that she’s a Chaser on the English National Team and was getting ready for the match at the time Rita observed her friends.
Is Hagrid Still Working at Hogwarts? That mention of Neville and Hannah hoping to move to the school’s grounds reminded us of the only non-dormitory living quarters we’ve seen: Hagrid’s hut. So, naturally, we’re curious as to what the Wizarding World’s foremost foster parent to dangerous animals is up to now. Is he still working as the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds? Did he and Madame Maxime ever manage to work things out? Did he ever get his pet dragon? For the sake of everyone else on the Hogwarts grounds, we’re hoping the answer to that last one is still “no.”
Is Professor McGonagall Still Headmaster? She was, after all, the natural successor to Dumbledore. And more importantly, is she still the toughest, kindest, smartest, most sensible and admirable woman in the Wizarding World? Actually, we can just answer that one ourselves. She definitely is.
Who’s the Current Minister of Magic? We know that the Department of Magical Transportation falls under Percy’s jurisdiction, and that Hermione is, as expected, quickly working her way up the ranks at the Ministry, and is currently the Deputy Head of Magical Law Enforcement. But what we don’t know is who Hermione would potentially be outsing as Minister of Magic, should she ascend to the position. Last we heard, it was Kingsley Shacklebolt, but knowing the Wizarding World as well as we do, it’s entirely possible that power has changed hands since then.
Who Is Still Hiring Rita Skeeter as a Writer? Was the Daily Prophet so desperate for subscriptions that they kept her on? Or does the Wizarding World have its own version of TMZ, where Rita can write and publish all of the gossip her QuickQuotesQuill can possibly come up with? Is there a publication out there that could keep up with the sheer number of slander lawsuits she’s probably had filed against her?
Charlie Weasley Is Basically the Wizarding World’s Equivalent of George Clooney, Right? Handsome bachelor, more focused on his glamorous job than his love life, unlikely to settle down any time soon, but making people swoon everywhere he goes? All Charlie needs is a villa in Italy, and they’d be the exact same person.
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20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
A familiar face will be cruising through Marvel's cinematic galaxy come this August. Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn has confirmed that the one and only Nathan Fillion will appear in the upcoming space adventure in a "very small fun cameo." While earlier rumors suggested that Fillion might play a bigger role in the film, Gunn set the record straight via his Twitter account last night. With Fillion's addition the cast, Guardians of the Galaxy is looking like it might be the most geek-friendly film of the decade. In light of the good news, we've decided to assess to geek cred of every major cast member in the film.
Nathan Fillion
Relevant Projects: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, Serenity, Dr. Horrible's Ding-Along Blog, Justice League Unlimited, that one episode of Lost Geek Cred: Through his frequent collaborations with nerd Jesus Joss Whedon, including a guest-stint on the last season of Buffy and a leading role in the cult sci-fi western Firefly, Fillion has built up an incredibly loyal legion of fans. Even 10 years after it's cancelation, some of the more deluded browncoats out there still believe there's a chance Firefly can somehow become un-cancelled. Now, there's some credibility for you.Rating: 5 out of 5
Chris PrattRelevant Projects: Jennifer's Body, Wanted Geek Cred: Pratt doesn't have a whole lot of nerd fodder to his name, but appearances in the comic book film Wanted and the underappreciated horror comedy Jennifer's Body to give him a decent boost. Rating: 3 out of 5
Zoe Saldana
Relevant Projects: Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, Avatar, The LosersGeek Cred: Saldana has a prominent role in the newest chain of Star Trek film, though that might boost or diminish her cred, depending on who you talk to. There are similarly mixed feelings about her other two genre pictures, Avatar and The Losers.Rating: 3 out of 5
Dave Batista
Relevant Projects: The Man with the Iron Firsts, RiddickGeek Cred: Batista has spent more time wrestling than appearing in movies so most geeks probably aren't familiar with their new Drax the Destroyer. He did have a role in the latest Riddick sequel, but was overshadowed by Vin Diesel. (More on him later)Rating: 2 out of 5
Bradley Cooper
Relevant Projects: AliasGeek Cred: Unfortunately, Bradley Cooper doesn't have the most geek friendly filmography as of yet, but his role as Rocket Raccoon should change that quite soon. Geeks might remember him in Alias, but even in the J.J. Abrams show, he wasn't the one doing the cool spy stuff.Rating: 2 out of 5
Karen Gillan
Relevant Projects: Doctor Who, Outcast, OculusGeek Cred: Huge! Gillan three-year stint on the British import Doctor Who was almost perfectly timed with the show's explosion in popularity in the states.Rating: 4 out of 5
Djimon Hounsou
Relevant Projects: Stargate, Alias, EragonGeek Cred: Not very high. Hounsou has enjoyed small roles in things like Stargate, Alias, and Eragon, but noting really major for geeks to really get to know the actor.Rating: 2 out of 5
John C. Reilly
Relevant Projects: Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant, Wreck-it Ralph, everything Tim and EricGeek Cred: Reilly doesn't have a huge backlog of geeky things on his resume, but Wreck-It Ralph and his work in the absurdly wonderful world of Tim and Eric does give him some clout to work with.Rating: 3 out of 5
Glenn Close
Relevant Projects: Mars Attacks!Geek Cred: Despite being a A-lister in Hollywood, Close has mostly steered clear of genre pictures, though her appearance in Mars Attacks! does give her something.Rating: 1 out of 5
Michael Rooker
Relevant Projects: The 6th Day, Slither, Stargate SG-1, Chuck, The Walking DeadGeek Cred: Rooker's cred skyrocketed with his role as Merle on The Walking Dead, but the longtime character actor has stealthily built up quite the geeky filmography over the years with appeareances in shows like Chuck and Archer.Rating: 4 out of 5
Benicio Del Toro
Relevant Projects: Sin City, The Wolfman, Thor: The Dark WorldGeek Cred: Fans recieved a snapshot of Del Toro's "The Collector" character in the end credits stinger for Thor: The Dark World, but beyond that, the actor's geek cred is pretty slim.Rating: 2 out of 5
Vin Diesel
Relevant Projects: All the Riddick moviesGeek Cred: Huge. Even outside of his career, Diesel is a well-documented geek and enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons on his off-time. He has also developed a good relationship with fans, appearing in video game adaptations of his Riddick films, and even putting up his own money to fund the 2013's Riddick.Rating: 5 out of 5
Lee Pace
Relevant Projects: The Fall, the Hobbit moviesGeek Cred: Pace has impressed in the last two Hobbit films, but he doesn't quite have the same history as some of his cast members.Rating: 2 out of 5
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Ever since the rumors started swirling several months ago, the Internet has been waiting impatiently for a Star Wars VII casting announcement that included Oscar winner and instant style icon Lupita Nyong'o. They finally got that wish on Monday morning, when StarWars.com revealed that she would be joining the cast along with Game of Thrones star Gwendoline Christie. The pair join an impressive cast for the latest installment of the franchise, with acclaimed actors like Oscar Isaac, Max Von Sydow and John Boyega all playing significant roles. However, when it comes to buzz, they all pale in comparison to Nyong'o, who has won over both critics and fans since her breakout performance last year in 12 Years a Slave.
Casting an Academy Award winner is a big deal for a major blockbuster like Episode VII, but Nyong'o is far from the first winner to journey to a galaxy far, far away. Since the first film was released in 1977, the Star Wars franchise has featured several Oscar winners and nominees on both sides of the camera, and seen several of its alum take home the award later on. In honor of Nyong'o's casting, we've rounded up all of the actors, writers, directors and editors who fall in the middle of the Venn Diagram of "Oscar winners and nominees" and "involved in the Star Wars universe."
Academy Award Wins
PRE-STAR WARS: -Nyong'o, who won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in 12 Years a Slave at this year's awards, is the third actor who has taken home an Oscar before starring in one of the Star Wars films, and the fifth team member to hold the distinction. -Alec Guinness won Best Actor in 1957 for his work in The Bridge on the River Kwai, before he played everyone's favorite Jedi Master and mentor, Obi Wan Kenobi. He later earned an Oscar nomination for the part. -Composer John Williams, who has been nominated for a total of 49 Oscars, won his first for Best Scoring Adaptation and Original Score Song in 1971 for Fiddler on the Roof. Since then, he's won four more, including Best Original Score in 1977 for Star Wars. -Ben Burtt had established himself as a talented editor with two Best Sound Editing Oscars in 1982 and 1989 before he edited The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
POST-STAR WARS: -James Earl Jones, who provided the iconic voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars films received an Honorary Oscar in 2011.-Natalie Portman won Best Actress for playing Nina Sayers in Black Swan in 2010, five years after her final installment of the trilogy was released. -Director Sofia Coppola played one of Queen Amidala's handmaidens in The Phantom Menace, and then went on to win Best Original Screenplay in 2003 for her film Lost in Translation. She was also nominated for Best Director and Best Picture that year.
20th Century Fox Film via Everett Collection
Academy Award Nominations
PRE-STAR WARS: -Before he created the franchise that eventually became Star Wars, George Lucas made American Graffitti, and was nominated for Best Director and Best original Screenplay in 1972 for his hard work. Five years later, he was nominated in those same categories for the first installment in the series. -Terence Stamp was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1962 for his work in the film Billy Budd, 30 years before he played Supreme Chancellor Valorum in The Phantom Menace. -His co-star in that film, Samuel L. Jackson, was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1994 for his performances as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction, a first of many iconic characters. -Marcia Lucas received an Oscar nomination in 1974 for Best Editing alongside Verna Fields for American Graffiti, before winning the same award three years later for Star Wars, with Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch. -Liam Neeson was nominated for Best Actor in 1993 for his heartbreaking performance in Schindler's List before stepping into the role of Obi Wan's mentor, Qui Gon Jinn in 1999.
POST-STAR WARS: -After he played Han Solo, Harrison Ford was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the 1985 film Witness. -Keira Knightley, who played one of Amidala's handmaidens in one of her first film roles, was nominated for Best Actress in 2005 for her turn as Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's Pride and Prejudice. -Lawrence Kasdan, who wrote Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi with Lucas, was nominated for Best Original Screenplay in 1984 and 1992 for The Big Chill and Grand Canyon, respectively, and Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture in 1989 for The Accidental Tourist.
Other Awards Of Note
-Three of the key supporting characters in Attack of the Clones were played by actors who were nominated or have won AFI and AACTA awards, the Australian equivalent of the Oscars and the BAFTAs. They are: Rose Byrne, Joel Edgerton, and Jack Thompson. -Ford has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and C3PO, R2D2, and Darth Vader have their "footprints" outside of the TCL Chinese Theater. -Christopher Lee, who played Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith has never been nominated for an Oscar, but he has been knighted, made a Commander of Order of the British Empire and a Commander of the Venerable Order of Saint John, been awarded both the BAFTA and BFI Fellowships, and is a French Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters. He was also a war hero, serving as part of the RAF Intelligence and Special Forces during World War II, and was attached to the SAS for a time during his service. He also once climbed Mt. Vesuvius right before it erupted and fronts several heavy metal bands, because he's cooler than the rest of us could ever hope to be.
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Focus Features via Everett Collection
If a film called The Martian is looking for a director, it only makes sense to run to the man behind Alien. Ridley Scott is in talks to helm the Matt Damon film now that Drew Goddard has left the project to direct the Amazing Spider-Man spinoff Sinister Six. Based on the book by Andy Weir, the story follows an astronaut who is stranded on a Martian colony and must survive until NASA can mount a rescue mission. The Martian marks a significant turning point in Damon’s career: his first stranded-somewhere-all-by-himself movie.
A longtime staple of the thriller genre, almost every big star in Hollywood has made a film in which they must survive on their own in the wilderness, outer space or a confined space, often to great acclaim. In honor of Damon’s first foray into the genre – which, thanks to the involvement of two Oscar winners is already receiving some awards speculation, despite it still being in the early stages of production - we’ve rounded up some of the most famous stranded-alone films and how things worked out for their stars. Awards-wise, we mean. They're all relatively straightforward, plot-wise.
Movie: GravityStar: Sandra BullockWhere She Was Stranded: Outer SpaceWith: George Clooney, for a short whileHow It Worked Out: The film was nominated for ten Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress and won seven of them, including Best Director for Alfonso Cuaron
Movie: Cast Away Star: Tom HanksWhere He Was Stranded: A deserted islandWith: A volleyball named WilsonHow It Worked Out: Hanks was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar
Movie: BuriedStar: Ryan ReynoldsWhere He Was Stranded: Buried alive in a coffin that's slowly losing airWith: Close-upsHow It Worked Out: No Oscar nominations, although it did earn Reynolds some of the best reviews of his career
Movie: 127 HoursStar: James FrancoWhere He Was Stranded: In a narrow canyon, with his arm trapped by a boulderWith: A video cameraHow It Worked Out: It was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor, and was the basis for an endless stream of jokes about Franco's career
Movie: MoonStar: Sam RockwellWhere He Was Stranded: In a spacecraft orbiting the moonWith: An awkward teenaged water park visitor who just needs some confidence... oh, wait, that was a different movieHow It Worked Out: Was nominated for two BAFTA awards, and won for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for director Duncan Jones
Movie: Panic RoomStars: Jodie FosterWhere They Were Stranded: A panic room in their home as robbers attempt to force them outWith: Her diabetic daughter Kristen StewartHow It Worked Out: No major awards, but it did get very good reviews
Movie: Man on a LedgeStar: Sam WorthingtonWhere He Was Stranded: On the window ledge of a 21st floor hotel roomWith: A lot of press attentionHow It Worked Out: It got mostly negative reviews and everyone promptly forgot about it
Movie: Phone BoothStar: Colin FarrellWhere He Was Stranded: In a phone boothWith: A remarkably poor conversationalist on the other lineHow It Worked Out: No awards, but generally positive reviews
Movie: Life of PiStar: Suraj SharmaWhere He Was Stranded: On a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean With: A tiger named Richard ParkerHow It Worked Out: The film was nominated for 11 Oscars and won 4, including Best Director for Ang Lee
Movie: Snow DogsStar: Cuba Gooding Jr.Where He Was Stranded: In a cave out in the Arctic With: A pack of lovable huskiesHow It Worked Out: The less said about this one, the better
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ABC Television Network
At this point in the Dancing with the Stars competition, everyone has the dancing skills to win: each remaining pair has scored high since Episode 1. As such, there's no real "dark horse" in this bunch – so when it comes down to it, it's going to be a tight race. As such, without further ado, here's how we'd rank the semi-finalists:
5. James Maslow/Peta Murgatroyd
Like the rest of the bunch, James is an adept dancer. His so-called chemistry with Peta might give him an edge, but they have considerably less sizzle than competitors Meryl and Maks. There's also the fact that he's routinely labeled as the "eye candy" of the show, but is that enough to take home the trophy?
Secret weapon: Shirtlessness
4. Candace Cameron-Bure
Candace might be the closest thing to a dark horse champion that the competition has at this point: she started the season off with excellent scores, then faltered after a bout with anxiety. Anyway, she's now the sort of "comeback kid" – plus, her close connection with her family makes her more accessible and easy to root for.
Secret weapon: Her relatability
3. Charlie White/Sharna Burgess
Some argued that Charlie's recent gold medal as an ice dancer was an unfair advantage (Olympic athletes have tended to do especially well in past seasons). Sure, Charlie's got discipline and talent to spare, but his golden ticket may lie with his charisma: he has a certain effervescence that might just make up the difference between runner-up and champion.
Secret weapon:The "aww!" factor
2. Meryl Davis/Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Like Charlie, Meryl's also got some extra experience with dance (as noted in the premiere, her spins are off the charts), but it might just be her chemistry with Maks that wins the day. Yes, on a show that runneth over with fauxmance, her relationship with Maks looks almost – dare I say it – genuine.
Secret weapon: The "aww!" factor, but in a different way
1. Amy Purdy/Derek Hough
This duo has everything it needs to win: flawless dancing, an athletic background (another Olympian!), and perhaps most importantly, an inspirational backstory. And let's forget that Derek's won the Mirror Ball Trophy five times, more times than any other pro on the show...
Secret weapon: She's inspirational times a thousand
Who do you think's got what it takes? Let us know in the comments!
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Millennium Entertainment via Everett Collection
After John Turturro has finishes selling sex, he'll be back on the right side of the law. The actor is set to take over the lead role in the upcoming HBO miniseries Criminal Justice, which was originally developed as James Gandolfini’s passion project. The show, which is based on an acclaimed BBC series, will see Turturro play a high-powered New York lawyer who defends as Pakistani man accused of murdering a girl he remembers partying with on the Upper East Side, but can’t seem to recall whether or not he killed her. Robert De Niro was previously attached to the role, but had to step down amid scheduling conflicts.
Turturro’s move to television makes him one in a long line of Coen Brothers regulars who have recently made the jump to the small screen, including Steve Buscemi, whose show Boardwalk Empire is entering its final season, and Frances McDormand, who will play the title role in the upcoming mini series Olive Kittridge. Even their flick Fargo has moved over to television, and the FX series has been receiving rave reviews. Seeing all of these Coen-ites together on television got us thinking about some of Turturro's other collaborators, and the way they've influenced his career.
In honor of Turturro taking over Criminal Justice, we've ranked all of his frequent filmmaking partners based on the quantity and quality of their output, as well as their overall Turturro-ness - that elusive factor that determines how important these films are in understanding and appreciating Turturro's career.
MICHAEL BAY'S JOHN TURTURRO
Number of Films: 3Best Role: Agent Simmons, specifically the one that appeared in the first Transformers film. That was the best one. Worst Role: None. That series needed Simmons more than he needed it. General Consensus: We're assuming that there are some people who looked into Turturro's other films thanks to his performance in the Transformers franchise, so at least some good came from it. Overall Turturro-ness: Low. Just go watch The Big Lebowski again instead.
MARTIN SCORSESE'S JOHN TURTURRO
Number of Films Directed by Scorsese: 2 Number of Films Co-Starring Scorsese: 2 Best Role: Julian in The Color of Money. Mostly because Raging Bull doesn't count. Worst Role: Raging Bull, where Turturro was only an extra. General Consensus: While Turturro isn't a Scorsese regular, the films they have made together are very good. Hopefully they'll work together again soon, becuase Turturro and DiCaprio would make a hell of a team. Overall Turturro-ness: Low. The movies are definitely worth seeing, but they're not vital to the Turturro experience.
HAPPY MADISON'S JOHN TURTURRO
Number of Films: 3Best Role: Emilio Lopez in Mr. Deeds, which Turturro has said was the most fun he had in a Happy Madison film. Worst Role: Phantom in You Don't Mess With the Zohan. It's best for everyone if we just continue to pretend this movie never happened. General Consensus: Turturro is generally the best part of whatever Happy Madison film he appears in, and he seems to have a lot of fun with Sandler, but these movies are... well, they're just not that good. Overall Turturro-ness: Middling. They're well known roles, but they're not well-regarded.
WOODY ALLEN'S JOHN TURTURRO
Number of Films Directed by Allen: 1Number of Films Co-Starring Allen: 2 Best Role: Writer in Hannah and Her Sisters, which wins by default, since it's the only true "Woody Allen film" in Turturro's resume. Worst Role: Crocker Johnson in Company Man, which would have really benefitted from that cut Bill Murray cameo. General Consensus: One one hand, his collaborations with Allen have yet to produce a truly iconic Turturro role, but on the other hand, it's not You Don't Mess With The Zohan. Overall Turturro-ness: Middling, thanks to a boost from Fading Gigolo.
SPIKE LEE'S JOHN TURTURRO
Number of Films: 9Best Role: Pino in Do the Right Thing. In addition to being an iconic film, it's also the role that kicked off a long-time partnership between Lee and Turturro. Worst Role: Don Angelo Bonasera in She Hate Me, the weakest film that the pair have made together. General Consensus: Turturro and Lee have been working together for over 20 years, and their partnership has produced some truly wonderful films, and it's one that should be celebrated a lot more often. Overall Turturro-ness: High. These films have produced some of Turturro's most iconic roles.
THE COEN BROTHERS' JOHN TURTURRO
Number of Films: 4 Best Role: Barton Fink in Barton Fink. It's quintessential Turturro. Worst Role: None. Turturro's four films with the Coen Brothers are some of the best they've made. General Consensus: He's an incredibly vital part of the Coens' cast of actors, and together, they brought the world Jesus Quintana. Clearly, this is a partnership for the ages. Overall Turturro-ness: Sky high. Because after reading this list, you definitely want to watch one of their movies again, don't you? Be honest.
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Warner Bros via Everett Collection
Going back to the earliest days of both movies and television, producers have been enamored with putting sports celebrities on screen. They're some of the most recognizable people in the country and bring along a built-in audience of fans from their athletic exploits.
Of course, there is one issue that's a little hard to get around… most of the athletes that have been tapped to appear in movies can't act. We're taking a look at the most awesomely bad performances by athletes in movies… from ones that are just laughably amateurish to the truly unwatchable; the work by this group would make Lee Strasberg cry.
Shaquille O'Neal, Kazaam
In interviews, O'Neal can be utterly charming and he frequently looks like he's having a good time. Absolutely none of that translates to the big screen, however. The 7-foot-1 basketball player is a genie who emerges from a boombox and tries to help a kid (Francis Capra) who's got father issues. You'd think that a movie with a genie would be at least fun, but it has way too many dark moments and O'Neal's mugging doesn't help any. The movie was so bad that director Paul Michael Glaser hasn't got behind the camera since.
Charles Barkley, Space Jam
It's easy to point out that Michael Jordan is bad in the 1996 mix of animation and live action since he was the star of the show (along with Bugs Bunny, of course), but really, what did we expect? Jordan acted about as well as he ever did in his commercials and the rest of the NBA players, from Larry Bird to Patrick Ewing are equally awful. Barkley, however, as we've now learned from his work as a studio host for TNT has enough personality that he could’ve done better than the stiff performance that he gave.
Dan Marino, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
It's always amazing when athletes can't even play themselves convincingly. In Jim Carrey's breakout hit, Marino — along with a dolphin — is the subject of a kidnapping scheme. Marino's a good looking guy, but that's about the best thing that we can say about his abilities as an actor. When you're outdone by a sea mammal, things are pretty bad. Of course, as much as we don't like his acting, we still like him better than the movie's Mrs. Finkle, the character who famously said, "Dan Marino should die of gonorrhea and rot in hell."
O.J. Simpson, Capricorn One
Back before the Juice had his troubles with the law, he had quite the acting career. Most people remember his turn as Leslie Nielsen's partner in the Naked Gun series, but at one point, Simpson was legitimately trying to act. That's what puts his turn in Capricorn on the list. Playing a duped astronaut, along with James Brolin and Sam Waterston, who is unwittingly part of a fake mission to Mars, Simpson is all caged fury at the outrage of it all. At least the movie has some pretty rad late '70s hairdos going for it.
Wilt Chamberlain, Conan the Destroyer
At least there was logic to Chamberlain's casting in the rushed sequel to Conan the Barbarian… if you're looking for someone even more physically imposing than Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wilt certainly fits the bill. The towering Chamberlain plays a guard named Bombaata who is supposed to help Conan on a quest before killing him. Let's just say that doesn't work out too well for The Stilt. Considering his claims of prodigious sexual conquests, we're sure that Chamberlain had fun shooting the movie… and, really, he doesn’t look any more ridiculous than Grace Jones.
Dennis Rodman, Double Team
How many people can say that they were in a movie with Jean-Claude Van Damme and they were the worst actor on set? Rodman, at the height of his fame for his outrageous behavior, made the Muscles from Brussels look like Robert De Niro in comparison. The plot of the movie runs along the lines of most other JCVD flicks, with Rodman playing an arms dealer. The Worm is tasked with saying such classic lines as, "You look like trouble. I like trouble." There are a lot of explosions and Van Damme does his requisite butt-kicking, even taking on a tiger, but Rodman spends the movie seemingly smirking at the thought that someone's paying him to do… well, whatever it was he was doing.
Mike Tyson, The Hangover
Yes, The Hangover is a very funny movie and, yes, the scenes with Tyson are hysterical. Those two facts do not make Iron Mike a good actor. The former heavyweight champion just plays a slightly less scary version of himself and you get the impression that the mixture of awe and fear on Bradley Cooper's face wasn't a stretch with the real Tyson standing in front of him. As comical as it was to watch — due largely to Tyson's public persona — his reaction at the video of Zack Galifianakis peeing in his pool is on the level of a third grade school play. Just, um, maybe don't tell him we said so.
Howie Long, Firestorm
The longtime Los Angeles Raiders defensive lineman did a credible job as one of John Travolta's henchmen in the John Woo actioner Broken Arrow. That's where Long's acting career should've ended. Instead, he signed on to play the lead in a movie about the leader of a team of wild firefighters who has to rescue people trapped in a fire started by an escaped killer played by William Forsythe. The fact that someone actually bought that pitch is irrelevant and it's hard to fault Long for taking the payday, but the preposterousness of the plot is matched only by the football star's terrible line delivery. The best part of the movie is that it's mercifully short, clocking in at just 89 minutes.
Terry Bradshaw, Failure to Launch
Let's forget for a second the stretch of casting Bradshaw and Kathy Bates as Matthew McConaughey's parents. Let's even put aside the fact that the movie's awfulness has more to do with the nonexistent chemistry between McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker than anything the four-time Super Bowl winner did. The question that truly needs to be addressed is who the heck thought the idea of having Bradshaw naked in the movie was a good idea? God love him for being down for it, but the image of the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback's naked rear-end is one of those things that you can't unsee. Bradshaw got his start in acting doing cameos in his buddy Burt Reynolds' films and luckily, he doesn't go too far out of his way to get parts. Why people feel the need to occasionally give him one is a whole other question.
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Warner Bros via Everett Collection
Although Batman may not be the oldest cinematic superhero (that title goes to Superman), Bruce Wayne’s alter ego is probably the most beloved and iconic. In a movie genre that is features dozens of superheroes from both Marvel and DC comic book universes, Batman is still one of the fan favorites. Since Ben Affleck will be helping Batman returning to the big screen in 2015 alongside Henry Cavill’s Superman, let’s take a look back at caped crusader’s best incarnations on film and in TV.
George Clooney
The general consensus is that Clooney was the worst Batman of all time. His wooden delivery of bad puns and the infamous “nipple suit” essentially killed the Batman franchise of the '90s. However, for those who love a good pun (or a couple dozen terrible puns), Batman &amp; Robin can still be enjoyable.
Val Kilmer
As the predecessor to Clooney’s Batman, Kilmer’s wasn’t much better. However, he managed to pull off the humor in Batman Forever a bit better alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey. Kilmer should also be credited for knowing when to bail on the franchise because at least he jumped off the sinking Batship.
Adam West
Though most people under the age of 30 probably recognize West from his time voicing cartoon characters on Family Guy and The Fairly Odd Parents, he first became popular by playing Batman in the campy 1960s television show. Although it’s nothing like the gritty superhero films of today, if you ever catch Batman in reruns, it’s definitely worth a watch.
Will Arnett
The Lego Movie should appeal to Batman fans who might think the caped crusader has been taken a bit too seriously in recent years (looking at you Christopher Nolan and Frank Miller). Arnett’s Batman is more of a parody of the famous character, but still just as enjoyable — and probably even more hilarious.
Michael Keaton
After years out of the spotlight, Keaton (along with the help of Tim Burton) brought Batman back to the big screen. Following in West’s footsteps, though, Keaton was the first to emphasize the superhero’s darker side and he will forever hold that accolade within Batman history.
Christian Bale
After Clooney and the epic failure that was Batman &amp; Robin, the caped crusader needed a few years off. Then, Bale brought Batman back to life in Nolan’s insanely successful — both commercially and with fans — trilogy. Though the voice was often parodied, Bale totally revitalized Batman (and made way for Batfleck, which, let’s be honest, we’re all excited to see).
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20th Century Fox via Everett Collection
Meryl Streep and Judi Dench are changing the film industry. The story began in 2006 when Streep starred in The Devil Wears Prada. Her now iconic performance as Miranda Priestly introduced her talent to a new generation of moviegoers, and turned the film into a box office sensation. Since then, Streep has been straddling the line between character actress and movie star, and she often appears in one film for prestige (Doubt) and another for profit (Mamma Mia!). Not all of Streep’s films are successful at the box office or with critics (Lions for Lambs was a bomb), but most of them are.
Dench’s trajectory is similar. Like Streep, she’s been a fantastic actress for most of her life, but her career was reinvigorated in 1997 with Mrs. Brown. Since then, Dench has received seven Oscar nominations, and the surprise success of films like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Philomena prove that she can attract an audience. So what are Streep and Dench doing that is so revolutionary?
Unlike most actresses their age, Streep and Dench are sought out by studio executives, and films are often built around them. For instance, Julie &amp; Julia, It’s Complicated, The Iron Lady, and August: Osage County were made for Streep, as with Philomena for Dench. Each project earned the appropriate amount of money required for studios to profit, and gave the actresses more autonomy for future projects. Similarly aged actresses like Julie Christie or Diane Keaton may appear in one successful film to remind audiences of their early A-list status, but the demand for Streep and Dench increases with each subsequent project.
For the most part, this is because Streep and Dench appear in adult-oriented films with complicated female characters at the center. They choose films that will appeal to critics and awards groups, but also ones that will generate interest with audiences. They aren't art-house actresses who make films that are too somber and dramatic, and they understand that financially successful films need to strike an approriate balance between art and commerce. Hope Springs, for example, is a smart romantic comedy in which Streep stars opposite Tommy Lee Jones as a woman stuck in a loveless marriage. Made for just $30 million, the film grossed over $100 million worldwide. As a summer release, Hope Springs offered adult audiences an alternative to the typical comic book fare. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel follows this model. The $10 million comedy grossed over $130 million worldwide, and gave adult audiences a reason to go to the movies during the summer season. To the delight of many, a sequel has already been filmed.
This is not to say, however, that Streep and Dench are unwilling to appear in mainstream movies. In 2014, for instance, Streep will star in The Giver, and if the trailer is any indication, it’s an attempt to appeal to Divergent fans. Dench, on the same token, has been excellent as M in the James Bond films, and her central role in Skyfall had audiences around the world talking about her character’s shocking resolution. Streep and Dench are smart enough to realize that they can appear in mainstream films without undermining their status as thespians, and as a result, they attract a diverse audience to their movies.
By offering adult-oriented, entertaining films to counterprogram the glut of vapid tent-pole pictures, Streep and Dench have opened up the doors for other older actresses to achieve a comfortable level of stardom. Their success debunks the familiar myth that older actresses can’t carry a film at the box office, and suggests that audiences are ready and willing to see films with older women at the center. June Squibb, for example, has become a household name at the age of 84 thanks to her Oscar-nominated performance in Nebraska. Squibb isn't in the same league as Streep or Dench, but she's surprisingly become a famous movie star later in life, appealing to an audience looking for meatier, more character-driven work.
This issue is complicated and by no means a science. Actresses still face many hurdles in Hollywood, and Streep and Dench don't solve the larger gender issues that plague the film industry. However, their unprecedented success is a refreshing disruption of the paradigm, and they’ve made it easier for other actresses to follow in their footsteps.
What do you about Streep and Dench's impact on the film industry? Cast your vote below.
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